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Polyphylla decemlineata

Ten-lined June beetle
Polyphylla decemlineata aka Ten-lined June beetle 2015-05-21.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Scarabaeidae
Subfamily: Melolonthinae
Genus: Polyphylla
Species: P. decemlineata
Binomial name
Polyphylla decemlineata
(Say, 1823)

The ten-lined June beetle (Polyphylla decemlineata), also known as the watermelon beetle, is a scarab beetle, living in the western United States and Canada. The adults are attracted to light and feed on foliage. They can make a hissing sound when touched or otherwise disturbed, which can resemble the hissing of a bat. This sound is made by their wings pushing down, forcing the air out between their wings and back. They can be an agricultural pest affecting a wide range of crops because their larvae feed on plant roots and can weaken or kill the plants.

They are relatively large in size, some growing to sizes as large as 1.5 inches (3 cm) or more. As in other members of this genus, the males have large distinctive antennae consisting of several lamellate plates, which they close up when threatened. The antennae are used to detect pheromones emitted by the females. The wing covers (elytra) have four long white stripes and one short stripe each. The underside of the thorax is covered with brownish hairs.

Eggs: The eggs are oval, dull, and creamy. They are about 1/16 of an inch long.
Larva: The grub can grow up to 2 inches with 3 pairs of legs, with a white body and brown head. The larval stage can last as long as 4 years.

Distinctive antennae consisting of several lamellate plates

Dorsal side - Muséum de Toulouse

Ventral side - Muséum de Toulouse

Ten Lined June Beetle

Ten Lined June Beetle - Open

Coming back to life after a cool night



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Wikipedia

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